Red-light camera fines are rolling in

Tuscaloosa City Hall has collected almost $32,805 in fines from motorists ticketed in the past three months for running a red light on 15th Street.

By Jason MortonStaff Writer | The Tuscaloosa News

Tuscaloosa City Hall has collected almost $32,805 in fines from motorists ticketed in the past three months for running a red light on 15th Street.The revenue was generated from 784 citations issued for red-light violations from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30.The offenders were captured on the city’s only operable traffic-light camera on the eastbound lanes of 15th Street at its intersection with Sixth Avenue/Dr. Edward Hillard Drive.Based on the $110 fine for each violation — of which City Hall keeps $70 — the one camera has led to $86,240 in potential fines. Of the fine, $10 is required by state law for record-keeping requirements of the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center.The remaining $100 is the maximum fine allowed by the Alabama legislative act that allows Tuscaloosa to use the automated system. Gatso USA Inc., the company hired by City Hall to install, maintain and monitor the traffic cameras, gets $30 for each paid fine.City Engineer David Griffin said in October that the money from each paid ticket is being held in escrow in anticipation of a lawsuit challenging the system.He did not say whether a legal challenge to the red-light system was imminent, only that it was a possibility.Any violations caught on camera are reviewed by Tuscaloosa police officers before a citation is issued. Accused violators are notified by mail and directed to a website where they can view photos, video and other details of the red-light violation.Those receiving citations can challenge the civil violation in municipal court and, if desired, Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court, which will hear appeals of the lower court’s rulings. According to state and city law, City Hall will have the burden of proof in each circumstance.In April 2012, Gatso oversaw a study of eight intersections to monitor traffic volume and the frequency of red-light violations.The study led to the selection of six intersections that will get the cameras.However, all but one of the intersections involve a state-controlled highway. This meant a stricter — and more time-consuming — permitting process for installing cameras in the right-of-way. It took until last month for city officials to gain permission from the Alabama Department of Transportation to install the devices at the remaining sites.Earlier this week, the Office of the City Engineer released an update from Gatso saying that red-light camera installation efforts were underway at the five state-controlled intersections across Tuscaloosa.Before the Thanksgiving holiday, work had begun on installing the devices at the intersection of Alabama Highway 69 South and Skyland Boulevard; McFarland Boulevard and 37th Street; and McFarland Boulevard and Skyland Boulevard, where three approaches to this intersection will get cameras.Installation of cameras at University Boulevard’s intersections with Lurleen Wallace Boulevard North and South is planned and expected to begin soon. Once complete, the system will monitor drivers at:15th Street and Sixth Avenue/Dr. Edward Hillard Drive.Interstate 359 and Skyland Boulevard.McFarland Boulevard and Skyland Boulevard.McFarland Boulevard and James I. Harrison Jr. Parkway.University Boulevard and Lurleen Wallace Boulevard North.University Boulevard and Lurleen Wallace Boulevard South.